Troops of the Nigerian Army’s Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDO KA, have rescued three kidnap victims and uncovered a suspected terrorist hideout in Anambra State.

The operation, conducted by troops of the 185 Battalion alongside members of the Anambra Vigilante Group, also resulted in the arrest of a suspected kidnapper and the recovery of firearms, ammunition and other items linked to criminal operations.

The Army disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, October 2.

The operation began after three people were abducted around the Osakwa General Area of Ihiala Local Government Area. The victims were later located and rescued by the troops.

Following their rescue, the soldiers launched a follow-up operation on October 1 and arrested a suspected member of the kidnapping group identified as Sunday Obi.

The Army said information obtained from Obi led troops to a suspected camp operated by the group at Abator in Ogbaru Local Government Area, across the Isieke waterside.

Troops subsequently moved to the location by canoe and engaged the suspected terrorists. According to the Army, the criminals came under heavy fire and fled the area with some reportedly sustaining gunshot injuries.

Items recovered from the camp included two AK-47 rifles with magazines, three pump-action firearms, three locally made Dane guns, 62 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition and 149 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.

Security personnel also recovered two cartridges and materials suspected to be meant for the production of improvised explosive devices.

Other items found at the location were a solar generator, power bank, car battery, two motorcycle batteries, two solar panels and two mobile phones.

The Army said the discoveries had provided intelligence on the logistics and support network allegedly sustaining kidnapping and terrorist activities in the area.

It added that troops had commenced further operations to track down the fleeing suspects, as well as other individuals suspected of supporting the group through logistics and other forms of assistance.

The Army said Operation UDO KA would continue intelligence-led and coordinated operations with other security agencies and local stakeholders to disrupt criminal networks and improve security across the South-East.